Cotton Pleads Guilty to Scheme to Defraud and Falsifying Public Records

Press Release

The Office of State Attorney Glenn Hess announces that on July 17, 2018, Roberta Cotton pleaded guilty to one count of Scheme to Defraud the State of Florida and 41 counts of Falsifying Public Records.  Circuit Judge Christopher Patterson accepted her plea and sentenced her to 4 years in the Department of Corrections followed by 5 years of probation.  She is required to pay fines and costs in the amount of $1,065.00.  She is also liable for restitution in an amount to be determined within 30 days.

Cotton immediately paid $6,676.94 in restitution and has forfeited the remainder of her retirement.  She is expected to testify in the trial of her co-defendant, Genene Hill Hall, in September.  The case was prosecuted by State Attorney Glenn Hess and was investigated by the Florida Highway Patrol.